Jaguars: Justifying Todd Wash’s place with the defense

Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone talks about the reason why he has retained defensive coordinator Todd Wash for the 2020 season.

After reading what Jaguars head Coach Doug Marrone had to say about the teams defense this past season and his coaching staff, which remains remarkably intact at the moment, I’m going to give defensive coordinator Todd Wash the benefit of the doubt.

It’s not a popular decision that Marrone made in keeping Wash on staff after a monumental defensive collapse in 2019. But as he said, Marrone is looking at the entire body of work of the man he has retained to lead this defense heading into the 2020 season.

Fans have been up in arms over the fact that nothing was done to change the defensive structure within the building at TIAA Bank Field while Jacksonville parted ways with offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.

"“I look at the body of work, and I can see things on the inside,” Marrone said last week at the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama via Jaguars.com."

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways
• Jaguars News: The offense is in good shape for 2023
• NFL officially reinstates Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley: 3 immediate takeaways
• Derek Carr immediately makes Jaguars vs. Saints 2023 away game Must-Watch TV
• Jacksonville Jaguars fortify secondary in 4-round 2023 Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft

There were factors during the season that played a role in how poor this defense was.

• Injuries to Marcell Dareus and several linebackers
• The trade of Jalen Ramsey in mid season
• Telvin Smith’s retirement

Wash didn’t make adjustments to the changes that were in front of him. Players weren’t able to fill in the gaps that were bigger than the St. John’s River. Wash must fix what was fractured or severely broken. And he comes into this season knowing there is a short leash for everyone on staff.

"“The Jaguars’ defense ranked 24th in the NFL in yards allowed and 21st in points allowed this past season. So, why retain Wash? Marrone said the reasons were multiple, including the Jaguars’ defense from 2016-2018 – Wash’s first three seasons as coordinator,” writes John Oehser.“The Jaguars ranked Nos. 6, 2 and 5 in the NFL in yards allowed in those seasons, but Marrone said the defensive statistics were only part of why he felt strongly about Wash.”"

With coaches working on a one-year deal to repair everything that appears to be an issue within the Jaguars organization, Wash and his coaching staff must feel the heat as he gets to work on finding solutions to the problem that exist. This unit will look different in terms of personnel once the regular season begins.

High-priced veterans could be jettisoned. Right now there isn’t a lot of money to play with in free agency and with two picks in the first round of the draft, the front office could address defensive needs early, but there are offensive concerns they must take a look at as well.

Free agency is less than two months away with the Draft at the back end of April. It’s still a busy time in North Florida. With the sense of urgency becoming greater with each passing day. The Jaguars may not be playing football right now, but the coaching staff, including Wash and Marrone, are preparing for their NFL futures.

For everyone, most importantly Wash, it’s about not only making changes, but making the right ones for this season. If not, there may not be a need to worry about what happens after 2020.